Mind the Design! Part 4

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COLOR STUDY:GREEN

Part 4 in the Mind the Design! Series

The next part of our Blog Series turns to the physical and psychological impacts of specific hues (which are defined as the brightest 6 - 12 pure, unmixed pigment families on the Color Wheel). These impacts are intertwined, for obvious reasons. (The better you feel physically, the better your mood, and vice-versa). We’ll start with the color green.

Green has traditionally symbolized rebirth, growth, and prosperity. We are drawn to it as a primary color in nature; in fact, the term “going green” describes our attempts to restore the earth’s health and balance by returning to natural elements. Green can also signify envy (‘pea green with…’), inexperience (‘he’s a little too green for this job’) and even being unwell (‘green around the gills’). Nonetheless, the symbolism of the color has little to do with how it actually makes you feel.

So how do we get to the “sunnier” aspect of yellow? From a physical standpoint, research shows that yellow is one of the colors to have an impact on increased test scores in both men and women, suggesting that it promotes energy and productivity/progression. In fact, when conditions involved the color yellow “Greater spontaneous outward thinking” occurred (Naksian, 1964).

From a physical standpoint, the color green exerts a relaxing and cooling influence. Its shorter wavelengths require less work by the body to process as the eyes need put less effort to absorb them. Psychologically, this can impact mood and energy levels resulting in a calmer, more contented state.

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Green is unique in that not only does the hue itself inspire a feeling of well-being and serenity, but the use of it in its natural state - plant-life – also contributes greatly to the health of an individual. Studies have shown that environments that include green décor, as well as the use of plants in art, landscaping, and indoor spaces induce greater contentment. These are great examples of “naturalizing” a space to make people feel more psychologically comfortable ,1 a term coined by Judith H. Heerwagen, PhD.

As discussed in an article by Rebecca A. Clay in American Psychological Association online1, the use of the color green and the installation of natural settings in a home, school or facility, greatly enhances mood, calms anxiety, improves attention and relieves fatigue.

Frances E. Kuo, PhD found, “Children who live in greener environments have greater capacity for paying attention… and they’re better able to delay gratification and inhibit impulses”.  Joseph B. Juhasz, PhD, president-elect of APA's Div. 34 (Population and Environmental), agreed. In fact, he believes that one explanation for the current epidemic of depression lies in the near-universal experience of uprootedness and alienation fostered by the environments in which we live.1

So how can we best use this amazing color in our décor for living and working?  If we take cues from the five factors that affect color perception (discussed in our “Color Psychology” blog in August), we can utilize green in a variety of effective ways.

We already know green is a tension-reducing hue, so dynamism (the mode of reducing/eliminating tension) is inherent, as is the emotional tone (mood or feeling) it fosters.  The complexity of the hue – its tint, tone and shade – can be moderated toward cooler and neutral greens for maximum effect.

Spatial quality – where and how green is used – can be accomplished in many ways as well:

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  • Apply to walls in rooms that don’t have direct views of nature or use the color to “carry” an outdoor view through to other spaces, such as an adjacent room

  • Add indoor plants (real and artificial)

  • Display artwork that depicts natural settings

  • Incorporate soft textures that convey a natural feeling in furnishings, linens and pillows

  • Include in spaces where concentration is important, such as offices or areas for homework and studying

  • Use in spaces intended for restorative activities to reduce anxiety and renew energy, such as reading nooks and libraries

When green is utilized successfully, the psyche’s evaluation, which is triggered by the perception of the color, will create the mood-enhancing and contented behavior intended.

What can green do for you? Think about how and where you can incorporate this wonderful hue into your space to enhance your well-being

Check back in October for the next color in our Color Study series. 

ref 1: https://www.apa.org/monitor/apr01/greengood

Anne Ford